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5 Ways to Save More Money This Spring

By U.S. News & World Report

The first day of spring officially arrives tomorrow, and I think most of us are welcoming the change in season with open arms after a long, cold winter. Spring is often symbolic of “new beginnings” and marks a time to clean out, shape up and breathe in the fresh air.

If you’re taking advantage of spring’s change of pace, here are five tips to save money over the next few months:

Take it outside.

Unless you participate in winter sports, the cold weather makes it a challenge to get exercise anywhere other than inside. Use the clear sidewalks and extra hour of daylight to take your fitness routine outdoors! Even if running isn’t your thing, head to your backyard or a local park for plyometrics, strength training or tossing around a Frisbee with friends. You might even be able to cancel your gym membership for a few months and save some serious money. An added bonus is all of the beneficial Vitamin D you’ll soak up from the sun. (Just be sure to wear sunscreen or a hat to prevent sun damage!)

Be a savvy shopper.

During the spring months, there are a few different sales and price drops that can help you save money. Winter apparel will be on clearance, so if this was the last season for your jacket or boots then consider stocking up now for a fraction of what you would pay later. The weeks between holiday travel and summer vacations, also known as the “shoulder” season, is a good time to benefit from lower prices on travel gear and luggage.

You might also want to consider stocking up on frozen foods now. March is “National Frozen Food Month,” and many brands offer great deals to celebrate. Stop by thrift stores to see what’s in stock, because this is the time of year they are overrun with inventory from everyone’s closet cleaning. Not only will consignment shops have a great selection, but they will lower prices to make room for more items quickly. Lastly, mattresses tend to have reduced prices later in the spring, allowing you to knock down the cost of a typically pricey item.

Spruce up your cleaning routine.

Spring cleaning jokes aside, it can be expensive to stock up on all those cleaning solutions and paper products. With only a handful of basic ingredients, you can make a lot of effective cleaners yourself. Typical staples for DIY cleaners include vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide. For easy tutorials, Pinterest is an excellent resource. To save money on the cleaning products you are loyal to, just conduct a quick search for your favorite brand on a coupon website before you head to the store.

To save paper and cut down on the costs of disposable products, use old T-shirts and cloths instead. If you need new containers to get organized, check out the dollar store for baskets, food storage and desk supplies.

Power down.

Depending on where you live, you might enjoy mild weather during the next few months. Take a break from the heat and the air conditioner when possible, and open the windows to air out your home. Hopefully you’ll be able to spend more time outside after a few months indoors, so cut down further on utility costs by powering down and unplugging electronics when you’re not home.

Cook in season.

Not only can you freshen up your workout and your home, but spring is also the ultimate time to freshen up your cooking. Plenty of fruits and vegetables will be in season, giving you an opportunity to change from heavier winter stews and dishes to light, bright meals. Here are examples of seasonal produce you can find over the next few months at a very reasonable cost: broccoli, asparagus, peas, radishes, artichokes, rhubarb, grapefruit, lemons, mint and pineapple. If you want to spend even less, consider growing a few of your own fruits and vegetables. The same goes for flowers; if you love having fresh flowers on your kitchen table throughout spring and summer, grow you own to avoid spending money every week.

However you decide to celebrate the season and warmer weather, consider these tips for keeping your budget in check, without sacrificing any of the seasonal spring delights.

More from U.S. News

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10 Meals to Make When You’re Trying to Save

5 Ways to Save More Money This Spring originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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